The CIPR declined to comment on whether it had received a complaint against Laird. In a statement it said: 'The allegations made in the media relate to Lord Laird's conduct as a member of Parliament and not to his professional activities in PR.

'That said, the CIPR Code of Conduct is broad - members of our profession are required to act professionally in everything they do - so parliamentarians (and all our other members) who behave unethically are not exempt from investigation by the CIPR.'

Laird is being investigated by the independent Lords commissioner for standards and resigned the Ulster Unionists whip after allegations made in a joint Panorama and Daily Telegraph investigation, and separately by The Sunday Times. Laird denies any wrongdoing.

Laird, a CIPR fellow who was given a CIPR lifetime achievement award in November 2011, is listed as co-running Biscuit PR as recently as this year. He had not responded to attempts to reach him as PRWeek went to press.